Kathy Carter's Obituary
Carter, Mary Katherine
June 13, 1954 – July 9, 2024
Our dear “Kathy” passed from this world on July 9, 2024, with her husband, Rex, daughter, Lauren, and four sisters by her side. An enormously creative, tender-hearted soul, Kathy was a gifted artist who touched many through her lovely drawings and paintings, which made expert use of color and captured her authenticity and passion for beauty and truth, often provoking strong, contemplative emotions. Along with her artistic talent, Kathy had a passion for literature, thinking nothing of diving into a classic or bestseller, which led her to also pursue a career as a librarian.
Born in Dallas, Texas on June 13, 1954, to Thomas Eugene and Georgia Wray (nee: Muckleroy) Willding, Kathy was born a year almost to the day following the birth of her older sister Teri, essentially becoming her “Irish twin.” The large Catholic family would grow to include five girls, with Kathy and Teri enjoying being the same age for one day every year. Kathy and all of the Willding sisters attended St. Monica Catholic School in Dallas through the eighth grade, continuing to Thomas Jefferson High School, where Kathy graduated in 1972. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1976 from Texas A&M University – Commerce (then known as East Texas State University), later earning a master’s in library sciences from the University of North Texas. Kathy served as the lead librarian for a number of years at the Shelton School in Dallas before joining the librarian staff at EastField Community College.
In 1976, Kathy married John Pomara, and their daughter, Lauren Rose, was born in 1983. Lauren was Kathy’s greatest joy and creative accomplishment in life. She was enraptured from the moment Lauren entered the world and made it her mission to shower her only child with interesting experiences, reading to her extensively and immersing her in favorite children’s characters, often creating realistic costumes to enhance the experience (Snow White being particularly memorable). This fervor continued with the birth of her two beloved grandchildren, Millie and Nora, who she visited frequently in Connecticut, taking them on outings to the library, reading to them and planning an abundance of fun art projects.
In 2010, Kathy married Rex Carter, embarking on yet another phase of her life. Rex and Kathy shared an interest in a wide range of film genres, most recently absorbing Hindi Bollywood movies (Shahrukh Khan being Kathy’s favorite actor). Avid animal lovers, they also shared a number of cats and dogs throughout their marriage, including Ruby, a Chihuahua who Kathy could often be seen carrying around the house in a papoose to calm the dog’s nerves. When Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, Rex was constantly by her side, taking her to appointments and providing the support she needed to become a cancer survivor. In her final days, following a series of strokes, Rex was a constant presence, even bringing Ruby for a visit during hospice to provide comfort.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Georgia Willding, as well as her niece, Devon Noble Jefferson. She is survived by her husband, Rex Claybourne Carter; daughter, Lauren Rose Pomara Shekari (Darius); granddaughters, Camille Noble “Millie” Shekari and Eleanor Ivy “Nora” Shekari, and four sisters: Teresa Diane Willding; Elizabeth Elaine Robbins (Danny); Patricia Ann Rhea; and Janice Christine Kolb (John). Surviving nieces and nephews include Rachel Elizabeth Robinson (Nicholas); Thomas Gabriel Robbins (Gabrielle); Davis Allen Rhea (Rachel); Bug Robbins; John Phillip Thomas Jefferson; and Nathaniel Key Kolb IV, as well as great nieces and nephews Kathleen Rhea Robinson, Harper Jane Robinson, Cash Wyllis Robinson, Margot Elizabeth Robbins and Olive Georgia Robbins.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, with a reception to follow in the Turtle Room at 3525 Turtle Creek, Dallas, TX 75219.
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